Panama trip showcases power of experiential learning for regional campuses

OHIO students and faculty stand in front of a building at the Panama Canal

For students on ��ϳԹ�'s five regional campuses, the world is not just something to study from a textbook, it is something they can experience firsthand.

Through ��ϳԹ�'s GoGlobal program, regional students are gaining access to immersive, life-changing international learning opportunities that not only enhance their education but also broaden their worldviews.

At the beginning of summer, 10 students from ��ϳԹ�—including eight education majors, a social work student, and one alumna preparing to begin graduate study—traveled to Panama as part of the Culture in the Classroom GoGlobal program. While the visit to Jacaranda College served as a powerful centerpiece, the trip also included rich cultural immersion experiences that deepened students’ understanding of Panama’s history, culture and global connections.

"Seeing the emphasis on inclusion and creativity at Jacaranda made me realize how powerful learning through play and community can be," said education major Sydney Jones. "I saw more creativity in two days than I've seen in years of traditional schooling."

The two-day visit to Jacaranda College allowed students to observe and participate in innovative, student-centered education practices; lead lessons in science and English; and engage in cross-cultural exchange with both students and educators. For many participants, it was their first time abroad—a journey made possible thanks to discounted and subsidized rates available through the GoGlobal program.

Yet the experience extended well beyond the classroom. Students explored key cultural, ecological and historical sites that broadened their perspectives on global citizenship and cultural identity.

Students don't just observe learning, they live it

A group of OHIO students, faculty and staff stand in front of a river

"Students had the opportunity to visit the Embera Indigenous community where they learned how a native group maintains its identity in today's world," said Dr. Teri Peasley, OHIO Zanesville’s associate professor of instruction in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and co-leader of the Panama program. "We also had a VIP tour of the Panama Canal where students learned about the Canal’s history and its importance to Panamanian culture and the global economy. They also spent a day at El Valle, a rainforest community that has evolved in the caldera of an extinct volcano. Here, we had the opportunity to explore the rainforest, swim in a natural spring pool, and experience a local market full of hand-made crafts and fresh produce."

These cultural experiences broadened the global understanding of the students and gave them a stronger sense of their own place in the world.

"Because of these experiences," Peasley added, "our students will be more culturally responsive teachers and social workers."

The OHIO students agreed, and said they learned a great deal from the experience.

"Before this trip, I was intimidated at the idea of teaching in another country," said student Elke McGinnis. "But from the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with warmth. I left feeling more confident, capable, and inspired."

Dr. Debra Dunning, OHIO Lancaster’s associate professor of instruction in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and faculty leader, shared that the experience transformed the group.

"We research the power of play in education but seeing it in action at Jacaranda gave it new meaning,” Dunning said. “Our students didn't just observe learning—they lived it. And the cultural immersion throughout the trip expanded their understanding far beyond the classroom."

Additional GoGlobal programs for regional campus students

OHIO students and faculty sit together at a table at a restaurant in Thailand

��ϳԹ� is building on this success with two additional GoGlobal programs currently open for regional student participation:

Thailand: Culture and Communication – This experience explores intercultural communication, social norms, and cultural traditions in Thailand, offering hands-on opportunities for students to engage with local communities.
Final application deadline: Aug. 29, 2025. Trip takes place over winter break.
For more information, contact Dr. Pam Kaylor at dawes@ohio.edu
You can find more information here.
Storytelling in Education: Literature and Learning in England – Focused on the role of narrative in learning, this program immerses students in the storytelling traditions and educational systems of London and Oxford.
Final application deadline: Aug. 27, 2025. Trip takes place over winter break.
For more information, contact Peasley at peasley@ohio.edu
You can find more information here.

From playing classroom games in Panama to exploring communication styles in Thailand and storytelling methods in the United Kingdom, GoGlobal is giving local students a global classroom—and, in the process, creating transformative moments that will shape their careers and lives.

"This isn't just about travel," Peasley said. "It's about giving students the tools, the perspective, and the confidence to make a real difference—at home and abroad."

To learn more about how ��ϳԹ�'s regional students are embracing global experiences through GoGlobal, visit www.ohio.edu/goglobal.